Alexander marcy



Patented Apr. 22, 1890.

@ASGI #d F FFI (No Model.)

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- i vUNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER MAR-CY, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

TRANSPOSING KEY-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 426,031, dated .April 22, 1890.

Application filed October 17. 1887. Serial No. 252,846. (No model.) Patented in Canada September 26, 1887, No. 27,659.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER MARCY, commercial traveler, a citizen of the United States, residing at present in the the city of Montreal, in the county of Hochelaga, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key- Boards for Organs, IPIarinoniu ms, and Pianos, called M areys Transposing Key-Board, (for which I have received Letters Patent in the Dominion of Canada, No. 27,659, dated September 26, 1887 5) and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the manufacture of organs, harmoniums, and pianos to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in key-boards for organs, harmoniums, and pianos in which the key-board is adjustable, so as to slide to the right or left, with surplus keys of one octave or less on either end ofthe key-board for the purpose of transposing the music, so the player can play in the key of C all the time and deliver or render the music in the key of E-flat or any other key or scale he may choose to adjust said key-board to, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan of the key-board for organs, harmoniums, and pianos, and the transposing scale. The syllables do, di, re, ri, me, fa, ii, sol, si, la, li, si, do are the syllables used in the chromatic scale in music. The letters C C# D D E F F# Gr Gy# A A# B C are the letters used in the chromatic scale in music. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same, showing the keyboard adjusted to the scale or key of D-flat. It can be adjusted by the syllables or the letters. Fig. 3 is a section on line c 0o of Fig. l, and is an end-view of key-board when in its place ready for use; and Fig. et is a like view showing the key-board raised to eiect adjustment, so as to allow it to slide to the right or left.

Similar letters referto si milar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, A is the key-board or manual used on organs, harmoni ums, and pianos.

B is the lifts for the performer to take hold of and raise the key-board and move it to the right or left, so as to transpose the music.

C is the key-slip. It is a narrow piece placed in front of the keys on organs, harinoniums, and pianos, well known by manufacturers.

D is the chromatic scale on the key-slip in syllables and letters, and enables the player to set the key-board by syllables or letters in any scale or key known in music. This will enable the performer to play all the time in the scale or key of C, while the music willbe played or performed in any or all the various scales or keys known in music.

E is the retaining-pin to hold the key-board when it is let down to its proper place. Said key-board cannot be moved until it is raised high enough to clearsaid retaining-pin, and when it is raised clear of said pin it is free from the couplers and valves or dowelpins in organs and harmoniums.

F is the hole to receive the retaining-pin when the key-board is let down to its proper place. Twelve holes are required to set the key-board in any or all the scales or keys known in music, and by this arrangement the player can play in the key of C all the time, and perform the music in all the various keys known in music.

G is a block screwed fast to the frame m, that the frame of the key-board n rests on. This block prevents the key-board and keyboard frame from sliding forward; but will allow the key-board and frame to slide to the right or left,

II is the strap or catch to stop the keyboard when it is raised high enough to clear the retaining-pin E, and while the key-board is held up against the catch II it will slide to the right or left, and as soon as it is let down on the retaining-pin E it is held firmly to its place.

.I is a grooved piece that holds the keybinder II firmly to its place, but allows the key-binder and key-board to slide to the right or left when the key-board is raised up against the catch II, as shown in Fig. 5. Said grooved piece J is screwed fast to the frame m.

K is the key-binder, and is screwed fast to the frame of the key-board for the purpose of holding the keys to their place, and slides to IOO the right or left with the key-board, and is heid firmly to its piace by the grooved pieceJ.

Lis the key-guard. It is a narrow strip fastened at each end to the frame of the keyboard, and passes over the keys in front of the name or stop-board to keep the keys from bouncing out of place When playing or using,` them.. It slides to the right or left with said key-board. m is the frame that the keyboard and key-board frame are placed upon. It is an ordinary or common frame to receive key-boards.

n is the frame ofthe key-board, and the inside of it Works against the block G.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 

